San Francisco, Saturday 4 May 2019: San Francisco SailGP race week-end is here and the first day was certainly spectacular! A strong breeze was forecast so the British team left the dock expecting another rock and roll day here in San Francisco Bay. The tide was also scheduled to turn at 1330 which would lead to more turbulent conditions so it promised to be a tough day for Stu Bithell as flight controller.
Dylan Fletcher, Great Britain SailGP helmsman commented after today’s racing:
“Today delivered everything we expected – wild, wet and windy. I’m really proud of how we sailed, good speed and smart sailing and, as our coach Joe Glanfield reminded us after the racing, such a massive step up from Sydney. Obviously, we are disappointed not to have converted some of those mark rounding positions to overall results but we were in the game as the top 2 boats most of the day and had some incredible racing.”
Race one – started 1235
Good start with Japan, Australia and GBR getting to the turning mark first, Japan rounded 1st, and by the leeward gate we could see GBR pushing to the front. Team Australia given a penalty enabling the British team to take the lead. Impressive speed and height upwind and Dylan and the team took advantage to push their nose out in front and keep clear air. Flying downwind and looking to stretch out when they had a massive splashdown and totally filled up with water – massively disappointing for the guys pushing them from 1st down to 5th place. But they did not let that distract them and got their heads back into focus and managed to put the hammer down to get back into an impressive comeback 3rd place for the first race of the day.
Results race one
1st – Japan
2nd – Australia
3rd – Great Britain
4th – USA
5th - France
6th - China
Race two – started 1304
Japan interestingly went for an aggressive start at one end of the line with GBR totally at the opposite end, GBR managed to go round the turning mark first coming in at 40+ knots, an impressive start for Dylan and the lads. Japan pushed the Brits hard with their slick manoeuvres but the Brits held onto the lead for the first half of the race. The British were looking fast and smooth and way more confident out there. However Nathan and his Japanese team did not stop breathing down their necks and took advantage of that. Dylan and the guys managed to hold them off for the first half of the race but then slipped back and then got sucked back into the pack to finish in 4th place.
Results race two
1st Japan
2nd Australia
3rd USA
4th Great Britain
5th China
6th France
Race three – started 1333
The sea state was foaming and rocking due to the tide change so added challenges for the guys. The British team nailed another great start, Dylan right at front with China, GBR and Japan neck and neck again – Japan just marginally ahead with the Brits pushing all the way. Rocketing downwind 40+ knots with Japan and the British team going all the way to the boundary. Nice gybes with these two teams racing each other all day. Japan stretched out their lead with incredibly smooth boat handling. GBR held comfortably onto the 2nd place for the last race of the day.
Results race three
1st Japan
2nd Great Britain
3rd Australia
4th USA
5th China
6th France
Overall results after day one
Japan: 1, 1, 1 – 30 pts
Australia: 2, 2, 3 – 26 pts
Great Britain: 3, 4, 2 – 24 pts
USA: 4, 3, 4 – 22 pts
China: 6, 5, 5 – 17 pts
France: 5, 6, 6 – 16 pts
TIMINGS AND HOW TO FOLLOW TOMORROW’S RACING
Sunday 5 May – 2 fleet races and a final match race
Come down to the San Francisco Race Village and watch it live.
www.sailgp.com/sanfrancisco
For followers and fans back at home, see below how to follow the action:
Sunday, May 5 on BT Sport ESPN, 20:30 - 22:00 BST
SailGP App: Supplementary video and data; full race replay (on completion of days racing
Facebook @SailGP: Full race replay (on completion of days racing)
//Highlights:
Day 1:
Sunday, May 5 on BT Sport 2 - 20:00 BST
Day 1&2:
Monday, May 6 on BT Sport 3 - 22:30 BST
Tuesday, May 7 on BT Sport 1 - 06:30 BST
Tuesday, May 7 on BT Sport 1 - 20:00 BST
Wednesday, May 8 on BT Sport 3 - 21:00 BST
Thursday, May 9 on BT Sport 1 - 10:00 BST
Friday, May 10 on BT Sport 2 - 10:00 BST